His name was Silas Helmer.
It was really a serious moment when the front of the train reached the Smith trail.

Team after team turned to the right while now and then one would keep straight ahead as was at first intended.Capt.Hunt came over to the larger party after the division was made, and wished them all a hearty farewell and a pleasant happy journey.

My friend Bennett whose fortune I shared was among the seceders who followed the Smith party.
This point, when our paths diverged was very near the place afterward made notorious as Mountain Meadows, where the famous massacre took place under the direction of the Mormon generals.

Our route from here up to the mountain was a very pleasant one, steadily up grade, over rolling hills, with wood, water and grass in plenty.

We came at last to what seemed the summit of a great mountain, about three days journey on the new trail.